Immunoregulation of thymosin α1 treatment of cytomegalovirus infection accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome after renal transplantation

Objective To determine the efficacy of thymosin αl (Zadaxin) in treatment of cyto- megalovirus infection accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after renal transplanta- tion.Methods Thirty-six patients were divided into thymosin α1 group (Zadaxin group,22 cases) and control group (14 cases).All patients received the same rescue therapy protocol.Suitable antiviral (Ganciclovir,5 mg/kg every 12 h,intravenously),antibacterial or antifungal treatment was given if needed.In addition,patients in the Zadaxin group received thymosin α1 of 1.6 mg subcutaneously every other day or every day.Results The rescue success rate was significantly higher in the Zadaxin group than in the control group (77.3% vs 50.0%),while the fatality rate was greatly decreased (22.7% vs 50.0%).A total of 24 patients survived.In the Zadaxin group CD4~+ lymphocyte level sig- nificantly increased on day 14,as did the ratio of CD4~+ and CD8~+ T lymphocyte subsets.In the sur- vivor group,CD4~+ and CD8~+ lymphocyte counts significantly increased ou day 7,14,and 21 compared with those on admission.Conclusions This study suggests that thymosin α1 significantly promotes CD4~+ and CD8~+ lymphocyte levels by producing immunity-related cellular factors and efficiently treats cytomegalovirus pneumonia.Thymosin α1 plays an important role in reconstructing and repairing cellu- lar immunity,reinforcing resistance to CMV diseases,blocking vicious circle of infection and respiratory failure,and decreasing fatality.